Safety device for track switches and signals



Nov. 13,1923. I 11,473,841

A. FISHER SAFETY DEVICE FOR TRACK SWITCHES AND SIGNALS Filed D 9. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Now 13 1923. 2-73 8 :51

. A. FISHER I SAFETY DEVICE FOR TRACK SWITCHES AND SIGNALS Fil D 1921 4 SheetS-Shet 2 I NW. 139 wa 1,473,841 A. FISHER SAFET? DEVICE FOR TRACK SWITCHES AND SIGNALS Filed Dec. 9. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nam 13 1923. 1,473,843

A. FISHER SAFETY DEVICE FOR TRACK SWITCHES AND SIGNALS Filed De 1921 4 SheetsSheet 4 rections with respect to the forward face of the plate '31; said cam faces also being beveled one outwardly and the other inwardly. The rock shaft 18 has a- T shape head 3%; one extension being adapted to engage the cam 32 and the other extension being adapted to engage the cam 33 so that a reciprocating movement of the plate 31 will impart a rocking or oscillating movement to the rod 18 and consequently to the cylinder 19. The plate 31 has an angularb disposed rib cam 37 adapted to fit within a slanting groove 38 in a bolt 39; said bolt being slidable in a slidewa-y e0 which extends transversely oi": the slideway 550. This bolt in its forward surface has a central recess d1 sepa rated from two end recesses l2 and 43 by projections 4 and Two electromagnet-s 46 are secured to the supporting structure and have an armature 4:? which is pivoted. at 48*; said armature havinga depending arm 4-8 which serves as a latch for cooperative engagement with the bolt 39 in a manner hereinafter described; The means providing the slideway is cut a *ay between its ends to provide an entrance opening 49 for the latch 48 to engage the bolt 3.) when the electro-magnetsilti are (lo-energized. How ever, it will be noted that when the electromagnets are electricallyenergized their cores will attract the armature and cause the latch 48 to be moved outward into the dotand-dash line position shown in Figure l so as to release the bolt 39. When the bolt is thus released the cam plate 31 can be moved upward or downwariil and said movement of the cam plate will eflcct a sliding movement of the bolt within its slideway in, a direction depending upon the direction of n'loven'ient upward or downward 0'! the cam plate 311. However. when the latch 43 is within any of the recesses above mentioned the movement of the cam plate 31 will be arrested due to the engagement of either one of the projections 44- or 4;) with the latch with the exception that when the latch is within the recess ll a slight movement of? the bolt is possible since said recess is of greater width than the width of the latch.

In Figure l, I have shown my improved device operatively connected by attaching a link 50 to the upper end of the cam plate 3 l, and to the slotted link or segn'ient 51 which is usually employed in connection with the switch-operating lever; said slotted segment being pivotally mounted at 52 within its length. An operating lever is pivotally mounted at 54 below the floor level 55 of an operating tower and this operating lever carries a pivoted hand grasp lever 56. The hand grasp lever may be of the usual construction and has a rod 57 pivotally connected thereto; said red at its lower end having a block 58 slidable in the slot 59 of the segment 5L The usual quadrant base 60 is provided'adjacent the segment 51' and at its opposite ends has shoulders 61 and 62 so that an extension of the block 58 can be moved into engagement with said shoulders when the operating lever is in its forward and rear swinging positions.

A spring 63 normally'tends to move the block 58 downward and to keep the hand grasp lever 56 in a position remote from the upper end of the operating lever; it also being noted that this spring 63 serves to keep the segment 51 swung in one position or the other according to the positionot' the operatinglever andtherei ore if the hand grasp lever 56 is moved on its pivot toward the upper end of the operating lever the 7 block 59 will be raised from the position shown 131 Figure l and the segmentv'iil will be rocked on its pivot m It, after said aovement of the block and segment 51 the 7 operating: ever 53 is swung on its pivot to its extreme rear positionand then the hand grasp lever 56 is released, the block 58 will continue to swing said segment by pushing the opposite end thereof downward until the extension o l the block finds its place to the rear of the shoulder (52. In so far as the oper ting lovers the segment iii and the quadrant base 60 is concerned they may be o't' any of the usual construction and the lower end or the operating lever 53 is illustrated as connected to the switch portion 63 ot a side track 64 and main track 65 as shown in Figure l. It will be noted-however that. when the hand grasp lever 56 moved toward the upper end of the operat ing lever that the link 50 will be raised a certain distance and that when the lever is swung until the block 58 passes the pivot and the hand grasp lever 56 is re leased the segment 51 will be rocked to a greater extent and the link 50 will be raised to a greater extent. In other words, the mere movement of the hand grasp lever toward the upper end o'l the'operating lever 53 moves the cam plate ill one-hall ot its possible upward movement and when the hand grasp lever 56 is released. after the movement of the operating lever pastthe pivot the cam plate will be raised the other hall of its possible upward movement.

I have illustrated the switch conin rod 66 attached to a swinging arm 67; said swinging arm having an electric contact member (38 thereon adapted to be moved into engagen'lent with either of two contacts 69 and 70. The contact member 68 is in electric connection with an electric battery or generator 71 and this battery int-urn is connected to one pole of the electro-magnets 46. The other'pole of the electro-mad nets is connected through the medium o'f a relay 72 and floor push switch '73 with two of the contact shoes 28 on one side of the cylinder 19; the opposed shoes beingeonnected one. with the contact ,69 and onewith theeontact 70. The 'coil Tdof the relayis shownin electric circuit with .the opposed rails of the tracks 64- and 65,: said rails also being in electric circuit, with a, battery or generator Y5 at a distance spaced from the connection of the relay coil so that it any train car or the like is on either of the tracks between the battery connection and therelay coil connection that the battery "I 5 will be short-circuited and the coil 74 deenergized. The relay includes an armature 76,which when the coil t is energized is held in bridging or circuit-closing connection with two contacts '77 and 78 which are interposed in the connection between the push switch 73 and the electromagnets.

A sprino' 79 is preferably connected to the armature (6 so that when the relay. coil 74 is (ls-energized, the armature will be moved out of bridgingconnection with the contacts 77 a d 78 so that no circuit can be completed therebetween even. though the push switch is actuated. The contact shoes 28 other than those connected to the contacts 69- and TO can be electrically connected with signal devices in the usual manner.

In Figure l the track is shown clear with the contact member 68 in engagement with the contact 69 and the segment 20 is in Contact with both of its shoes 28; the push switch 73 being open so that the latch 48 is in. the position shown in Figures 2 and 9 within the recess 43 against the extension 4-5 of the bolt; the cam plate 31 being illustrated in its lowermost position.

To throw the switch 63 to connect the track 61 with the main track 65 the operation is as follows: The push switch 73 is tieprcsied and an electric circuit is co1npie-ted through the electro-inagnets and the uture. is attracted and the latch is withu troin the recess 43 of the bolt 39.

The handgrasp lever 56 is then swung; to

.i l the upper end of the operating lever nd this action effects the raising of the hioci: and the consequent swinging of the segment 51 to lift the cam plate 31 through he iuin of the link 50. Since the bolt cc to move. the rib cam 37 will move d bolt and thereby permit the cam plate to continue -in its upward movement.

operz-iting lever53 can then be swung 5 Th e to one: to the switch and if there are no obs ructions against the movement of the swich. the switch will be moved to its full lf the contact member 68'will be rooted into engagement with the contact Y0 and upon release of the hand grasp lever 56 the spring 63 .will operate to move the b ock downward anch'nnpart "an additional'rocking movement to the segment 51 in the same direction and therebvcont-inue to, lift the cam: plate; 31-120. its, full.-upwa:rd

position. This latter action will move, for

tact with their respective slur...

example, the segments 24 and 25 of the cylinder into circuit-closing connection with their *espective shoes 28 and electric current is thereby supplied for operating the signals. t

if, for an reason, the switch cannot be moved to its full extent the contact member 68 will not engage the contact 70 and the circuit will remain open "nd the electromagnet will not be encrgfl The recess 41 in the bolt 39 is so positioned it such condition occurs that the latch as will be positioned therein and thereby lock the bolt and prevent the hand grasp lever from moving outward to its full extent away from the opera; if lever and the operator will know that proper movement ot the switch. has not been effected. Furthermore owing to this action the segments 2d and wi not he moves. to close the signal :ircuus through their respective shoes 28 and the signals which determine when the t1 l; 64 is in proper switching connection with the track 65. cannot be operated. In the movement of the bolt 39 from the position shown in Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure it will be noted that during this action the cloclro-inagnets are (lo-energized to allow the latch to engage within the recess 41 ans it all of the parts continue to he moved such tor eruuple asthc throwing of a switch. the electro magnets will be again enci izcd to withdraw the latch due to the conactinc; of the segment with both of its shoes 28.

Thus in the initial or starting: position as shown in Figure J the circuit will be UlllZPltti-tl when the push switch 7?; is operated owing to the fact that the st mcnt 20 is in contact withboth of its shoes 28. The initial upward movement of the cam plate 31 causes first the movement of the bolt and then all of the segments 2 21.. 91?. 5 33 24 and move out of circuibclosing: con- Then as shown in Figure 7 the contacting scemeut 25% moves into engagement with botho't its snoes the switch has been properly shi lted and finally the contacting: segments Bel and 25 come in con act with their respective shoes It will he noted further that in the initial or starting position the contacts ill. and 22 are in circui 'closin connection with their respective shoes so that the signal circuits are completed For the reverse movement of the o 'icratinq' lever 2-3., the parts operate similarly onlv in a reverse direction as obvious from the construction as illustrated. By arrane'ine' the parts above described. the controlling;- means can he kept at a position away from the operatinsr lever and its various con- IlPClfdfilldfiSSOClfilISCl parts. In fact the device can :be positioned adjacent a lower floor where access can be had to the device i without removing or in any way being obstructed by the parts adjacent the operating proved device is valuable for use in'con-r nection with switch and signal operating towers where the parts are usually congested near the controlling means.

While I have described my invention as taking a particular form it will be under stood thatthe various parts of my invention may be changed without departing from the spirit thereof, and hence l do not limit my self to the precise construction set forth, but consider that I am at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly come within the scope Oili the appended claims.

Havin thus described niv invention. what 27 I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device of the character described including signal controlling circuits; a support; a cylindrical circuit controller rock- 'ably mounted on the support; and means movable on the supportin the direction of the length of: the circuit controller for actuating it to make and break the circuits, substantially as described.

2. A device of the character described including signal controlling circuits; a support; opposed electrical contacts carried by the support; a shaft rockably mounted on the support; a. non-conducting member on the shaft; conducting members thereon co-acting with the contacts. and means movable in the direction of the length oi the shaft for actuating it to make and break the circuits substantially as described.

3. A device of the character described including signal controlling circuits; a support; opposed electrical contacts in said ci1- cuits carried by the support; a rock shalt; a non-conducting member on the shaft: conducting members thereon co-acting with said circuits. and means movable in the direction oil. the length 01 the shaft for rocking it to make and break the circuits, substantially as described.

4-. A device of the character described including signal controlling circuits; a support; a circuit controller controlling said circuits; a reciprocating member movable on the support in the direction of the length of the circuit controller; a bolt slidable onthe support for locking the reciprocating member'; means carried by the reciprocating v in clu d i no member for actuating the controller; means carried by the reciprocating member for slidably engaging and actuating the-bolt, and means for automatically locking the bolt in selected positions, substantially as described.

i A device of the characler described ineluding signal controlling circuits; a support; opposed electrical contacts in said circuits carried by the support; a rock shaft; a non-conducting member on the shaft; conducting members thereon co-acting with said contacts; a bolt slidable on thesupport; a reciprocating member movable on the support in the directio oi the length of the rock shaft; means carried by the reciprocatinginember for actuating the rock shattand the bolt and means for automatically locking the bolt in selected positions. substantially as described. 7

6. A device of the character described in- V cluding signal controlling circuits; a circuit. controller; a reciprocating member for actuating the circuit controller; a. slidable bolt; means on the reciprocating member for slidably engaging-and actuating the bolt, and means for locking the bolt in selected positions substantially as described;

7. A device ot the character described signal controlling circuits; a circuit controller; a reciprocating rnemher For actuating the circuit controller; a slidable bolt; means on the reciprocating member for siidably engaging and actuating the bolt; means for locking the bolt in selccted positions, the latter means including electro-imignets, an armature and a latch carried by the armature for locking engagement with the bolt substantially as de scribed.

R. A device of the character described including signal controlling circuits; a cir- (aiitcontroller; a reciprocating member "tor actuating thc'circuil' controller; aslidable bolt: a cam on the reciprocating member adapted to slide the bolt and automatically operative means for locking engagement with the bolt, substantially as described.

9. A device of the character described in cluding signal controlling circuits; a circuit controller; a reciprocating member for actuating the circuit controller; a slidable bolt having recesses; a cam on the reciprocating member for slidingthe bolt; and a latch automatically movable into and out of the mcesses, substantially as described. Y

7 10. A device of the character described including signal controlling circuits; circuit controller; a reciprocating member "for actuating the circuit controller; a slidable bolt having recesses; means for sliding the bolt; electro-magnets having a pivoted armature, and a latch fixed to the armature adapted to enter the recesses when the magnets are deenergized and to be withdrawn When the magnets are energized, substantially as described.

11. A device of the character described including si nal controlling circuits; a sup port; a rock shaft having a T-shaped head; a circuit controller carried by the rock shaft; a reciprocating member, and cams on the reciprocating member adapted to engage with the T-shaped head and alternately rock the shaft in reverse directions.

12. A device of the character described including signal controlling circuits; a support; a roclr shaft having a i' shaped head; a circuit controller carried by the rock shaft; a reciprocating member; a bolt slidable transversely of the reciprocating member; cams on the reciprocating member adapted to actuate the rock shaft and the bolt, and means for locking the bolt in selected positions, sub-- stantially as described.

13. A device of the character described including rotatable means operative to effect the establishment of signal controlling circuits; reciprocating means operative to effeet the rotation of said first means; a slidable bolt; means on said reciprocating means for sliding said bolt; and means for locking said bolt in various positions; substantially as described.

14. A device of the character described in cluding rotatable means operative to effect the establishment of signal controlling circuits; reciprocating means operative to effect the rotation of SElICl first means; a shdable bolt; means on said reciprocating means for sliding said bolt; and means for effecting the locking oi said bolt, said latter means lIlClllCling electro-n'iagnetic means, an armature, and latch operatively connected to said armature tor locking engagement with said bolt; substantially as described.

15. A device of the character described including rotatable means operative to effeet the establishment of signal controlling circuits; reciprocating means operative to effect the rotation of said first means; a slidable bolt; a cam on said reciprocating means for sliding said bolt; and means automatically operative for locking engagement with said bolt; substantially as described.

16. A device of the character-described ineluding rotatable means o: erative to effect the establishment of siginl controlling circuits; reciprocating means operative to effect the rotation of said first means; a slidable bolt having recesses; a cam on said recipro eating means for sliding said bolt; and means automatically operative and including a latch movable into and out of said recesses; substantially as described.

in testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

ALDUS FISHER.

li itnesses ELIZABETH GARBE, CHAS. E. POTTS. 

